Canis lupus Linnaeus
Common name: Grey wolf Irish name: Mac tíre
Irish status: Regionally Extinct European status: least concern Global status: least concern
Rationale for assessment: previously assessed as regionally extinct (Marnell et al., 2009). No change.
Distribution: Holarctic, from Scandinavia and Mediterranean through Russia and south and central Asia to North America (Mitchell-Jones et al., 1999).
Population in Ireland: Once widespread in Ireland, but de-forestation and hunting reduced the population. Active persecution during 17th century, brought about extinction, with the last animal reportedly shot in Co. Carlow in 1786 (Fairley, 1984; Hickey, 2016).
Lutra lutra (Linnaeus)
Common name: Otter Irish name: Dobharchú
Irish status: least concern
European status: Near Threatened Global status: Near Threatened
Legal Status: EU Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC] Annex II & IV. Nine SACs listed for otter in N.I., 47 listed in RoI. Wildlife Act, 1976; Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000; The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985; CITES Appendix 1.
Rationale for assessment: Previously assessed as Near Threatened (Marnell et al., 2009) based on a 20-25% decline between 1980 and 2005 (Bailey & Rochford, 2006). More recent data showing population recovery and widespread distribution, justify this improved assessment of least concern (Reid et al., 2013; NPWS, 2019).
Distribution: Widespread species ranging from Ireland to Japan and Indonesia, and from the Arctic to north Africa (www.iucnredlist.org). Found throughout Ireland in freshwater and coastal habitats, including offshore islands (Preston et al., 2004; Marnell, 2016b; Reid et al., 2013).
Population in Ireland: This species appeared to decline between 1980 and 2006, with most of that occurring in the first decade (i.e. 1980-1990), although the cause of this decline was unclear (Bailey & Rochford, 2006). The most recent national survey indicated a full recovery and an adult population size in the order of 16-22,000 individuals (Reid et al., 2013).
Ecology and habitat in Ireland: Although seldom seen, can be found wherever there is suitable aquatic prey and nearby terrestrial cover for resting undisturbed. Occurs on rivers, lakes, canals and coasts throughout the country, even in urban areas (Marnell, 2016b). An opportunistic predator. Favoured prey includes sticklebacks, salmonids, frogs, eels and crayfish, while rockling and wrasse make up much of the diet along the coast (Bailey & Rochford, 2006; Reid et al., 2013).
Threats: Many otters are killed on the roads each year; a smaller number are killed in fishing nets and lobster pots (Poole et al., 2007). Severe water pollution incidents leading to fish kills and removal of riparian habitats reduce habitat suitability for otters.
Ph ot o: E dd ie Du n
Martes martes (Linnaeus)
Common name: Pine marten Irish name: Cat crainn
Irish status: least concern European status: least concern Global status: least concern
Rationale for assessment: Previously assessed as least concern (Marnell et al., 2009). Expert opinion and survey data from 2005-07 (O’Mahony et al., 2012) 2012 (Lawton et al., 2015) and 2010- 2015 (O’Mahony, 2016) confirms range expansion and continued status of least concern.
Legal Status: EU Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC] Annex V; Wildlife Act, 1976; Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 ; The Wildlife (Northern Ireland.) Order 1985.
Distribution: Found across much of Europe into western Siberia, Caucasus and Asia Minor. Absent from southern Iberia and Greece. Irish population exists at the western edge of global geographic distribution (O’Mahony et al., 2012).
Comparisons with historical data indicate that range expansion in Ireland has continued in recent decades. Core populations exist in the west and midlands with smaller populations in the south west and south east of the country (Sheehy et al., 2014; O’Mahony, 2016). In the North, well established in Fermanagh and Tyrone, with increase in sightings from both Antrim and Down.
Population in Ireland: The population is thought to be increasing. Most recently estimated at 3,000 (O’Mahony et al., 2017) however this may be a significant underestimate (Josh Twining, Pers Comm.).
Ecology and habitat in Ireland: Woodland and scrub habitats favoured. Commercial conifer plantations an important habitat resource in Ireland. Occasional sightings in urban areas and mature gardens. Dens in hollow trees, burrows, brash and buildings.
Opportunistic feeder on small mammals, berries, nuts, frogs, lizards, birds and invertebrates. Impact of increased abundance and predation on grey squirrels likely to benefit red squirrel populations (Sheehy & Lawton 2014, Sheehy et al., 2018).
Threats: Suffered extensive persecution before legal protection. Recent expansion may bring renewed threat of persecution from gun clubs and poultry keepers. Tendency to den in houses has led to conflict as the species spreads.
Habitat loss and fragmentation a concern. Woodland management practices also important.
Ph ot o: E dd ie Du
Meles meles (Linnaeus)
Common name: Badger Irish name: Broc
Irish status: least concern European status: least concern Global status: least concern
Rationale for assessment: Previously assessed as least concern (Marnell et al., 2009). Despite localised removals for TB management, badger remains widespread, in a broad range of habitats.
Legal Status: Wildlife Act, 1976; Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000; The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
Distribution: Widespread across Europe and Asia, but absent from Iceland, northern Scandinavia and the islands of the Mediterranean (Delahay et al., 2008). Found throughout Ireland in areas of suitable habitat (Lysaght and Marnell, 2016).
Population in Ireland: Stable population, estimated in Northern Ireland as 33,500 (Reid et al., 2008) and in the Republic of Ireland as 84,000 (Sleeman et al., 2009).
Ecology and habitat in Ireland: Adaptable species of lowland grassland and woodland habitats, also occasionally in upland and suburban areas. Group size typically 4-5 animals (Feore, 1994; Smal, 1995). In Northern Ireland, hedgerows are most important habitat for sett location, reflecting the lack of woodland and abundance of hedgerow (Feore, 1994).
Opportunistic foragers that exploit a broad range of prey. Earthworms are common in the diet but account for little of the bulk. Seasonally abundant food sources are important including insect larvae and frogs (Cleary et al., 2009). Vertebrates (wood mice, rabbits) form main food source during summer months (Kostka 2012). Digestable plant material (fruit and grains) may play a much more important role in unimproved habitats (Kostka 2012).
Threats: No natural predators in Ireland. Anthropogenic threats include illegal persecution (snaring, hunting with dogs, disturbance of setts) and road casualties.
Bovine tuberculosis is present in the Irish badger population. Roadkill analysis from specimens in the North suggests an infection rate of 15% (Courcier et al., 2018) however, a wide range of localised differences occur. Badger removal programmes in response to TB outbreaks in cattle have been operated by Department of Agriculture in Republic of Ireland. A badger vaccine programme is currently being rolled out and is due to replace culling by 2021 (DAFM 2018). The Department for Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (NI) are currently considering badger TB control options for Northern Ireland.
Ph ot o: M ik e Bro w n
Mustela erminea hibernica Thomas & Barrett-Hamilton
Common name: Irish stoat Irish name: Easóg
Irish status: least concern
European status: least concern [M. erminea] Global status: least concern [M. erminea]
Proportion of global population in Ireland: Near endemic sub-species (also occurs in Isle of Man). >90% of global population estimated to occur in Ireland.
Rationale for assessment: Previously assessed as least concern (Marnell et al., 2009). Added conservation value because of its status as near endemic, but widespread distribution and presence in broad range of habitats justify current Irish assessment.
Legal Status: Wildlife Act, 1976; Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000; The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
Distribution: Mustela erminea has a circumpolar distribution and is found throughout Europe except for the Mediterranean (www.iucnredlist.org). Several subspecies are recognised including hibernica, which is restricted to Ireland and the Isle of Man (Martinkova et al., 2007). Widespread throughout Ireland, with records from every county. Distribution locally limited only by the availability of suitable cover and sufficient food (Sleeman, 2016).
Population in Ireland: No population estimate available for Ireland, but no evidence of a decline. Population density variable, depending largely on the density of available food.
Ecology and habitat in Ireland: Primarily carnivorous, feeding on small mammals and birds. Able to kill prey several times own weight (e.g. rabbit). Solitary, territorial species. Breed once a year, with kits born in April or May. Adult females return to breeding condition soon after birth of litter (Hayden & Harrington, 2000). Found in wide variety of habitats from coastal grasslands to woodlands and uplands. Tends to avoid open habitats, travelling along hedgerows and stone walls.
Archaeological records from before last glaciation [27-35,000BP] and around time of last cold interstadial [10,000BP] (McDonald & King, 2008) suggests that if this species did not survive the glacial maximum in Ireland it was certainly, along with the hare, among the earliest colonists.
Threats: Persecution by game-keepers can be a problem locally, because of perceived threat to game birds. Ph ot o: M ik e Bro
Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus)
Common name: Red fox Irish name: Sionnach
Irish status: least concern European status: least concern Global status: least concern
Rationale for assessment: Previously assessed as least concern (Marnell et al., 2009). Widespread distribution, presence in broad range of habitats and the European status of least concern justify current Irish assessment.
Legal Status: Not protected.
Distribution: Occurs throughout much of Northern Hemisphere. Widespread in Europe bar some Mediterranean islands (Baker & Harris, 2008). Distributed throughout Ireland and found in all counties (Looney, 2016).
Population in Ireland: Accurate statistics not available, but breeding population estimated at 150,000 to 200,000 (Hayden & Harrington, 2000). There is no evidence of a decline.
Ecology and habitat in Ireland: Adept opportunist, typically found in woodland habitat and grassland areas, but with increasing presence in urban areas. Rabbits and sheep carrion important dietary components in upland areas, but wide ranging diet including various bird, insect and plant species (Looney, 2001; O’Mahony 2003). Fox predation on lambs (as opposed to post mortem scavenging) is likely to be at low levels on a countrywide basis (Looney, 2001).
Vixens in Northern Ireland conceive between mid-January and mid-February with an average litter size of 4-5 cubs (Looney, 2001). Average male life expectancy 18 months, females 23 months (Looney, 2001).
Threats: Hunted throughout Ireland for sporting or livestock protection purposes. Unlikely to have a significant effect on the general population, although activities such as spotlight shooting with rifles may have significant local effects. Recent political interest in consideration of foxhunting ban in Northern Ireland. Previously large numbers of fox pelts were exported for the fur trade but this practice decreased during the 1980s (Hayden & Harrington, 2000).
Sarcoptic mange may exert a significant influence on urban populations. Trichinella also confirmed as present in Irish fox population but at very low levels (Zimmer et al., 2009).
Ph ot o: M ik e Bro w
Halichoerus grypus (Fabricius)
Common name: Grey seal Irish name: Rón glas
Irish Red list status: least concern European Red list status: least concern Global Red list status: least concern
Rationale for assessment: Not previously assessed. Widespread distribution and no evidence of population decline justify current Irish assessment.
Legal status: EU Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC] Annex II & V. 1 SAC designated in NI; 10 in RoI. Wildlife Act, 1976; Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 ; The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
Distribution: Found on both sides of the North Atlantic. In Europe its range spreads from the Russian White Sea around coast of Norway and Iceland and down to north coast of France (www.iucnredlist.org).
Found all around the Irish coastline but mainly along the western seaboard, with largest colonies on offshore islands such as Inishkeas, Co. Mayo and Blaskets, Co. Kerry. Can migrate significant distances and has been observed offshore as far as the edge of the continental shelf (Cronin, 2016).
Population in Ireland: Most recent population estimate of 7,000-9,000 individuals (O’Cadhla et al., 2013) with some suggestion of an increasing trend (NPWS 2019). Significant movement between Scotland and Ireland and Ireland and France (O’Cadhla, 2016a).
Ecology and habitat in Ireland: Comes ashore at undisturbed sites, notably offshore islands, to rest, breed and moult. Pups born on beaches during breeding season (Sep-Dec). Pups nursed for c20 days before foraging independently. Adults can dive to 300m for food. Wide variety of prey items taken, but mainly gadoids and sandeels (Cronin, 2016).
Threats: Vulnerable to human disturbance during breeding season. Can be subject to bycatch in certain types of inshore fishing operations (Cosgrove et al., 2016). Occasional incidents of persecution.
Phoca vitulina Linnaeus
Common name: Harbour seal Irish name: Rón beag
Irish Red list status: least concern European Red list status: least concern Global Red list status: least concern
Rationale for assessment: Not previously assessed. Widespread distribution and no evidence of population decline justify current Irish assessment.
Legal status: EU Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC] Annex II & V. 2 SACs designated in NI; 13 in RoI. Wildlife Act, 1976; Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 ; The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
Distribution: Found throughout coastal waters of the northern hemisphere, from temperate to polar regions (www.iucnredlist.org). In Europe, this species occurs from Svalbard and northern Russia to Iceland and south to France.
Found all around the Irish coastline, including estuaries and many offshore islands. Most records come from beaches used as haul out sites (O’Cadhla, 2016b).
Population in Ireland: The most recent population estimate of 4,500-6,500 comes from haul-out site monitoring (O’Cadhla, 2016b). The population trend is considered to be stable or increasing (Morris & Duck, 2019).
Ecology and habitat in Ireland: Annual breeding season extends from May through the summer followed by a moulting period (Aug-Sep). Opportunistic foragers on a wide variety of fish and, to a lesser extent, crustaceans and molluscs.
Threats: Vulnerable to disturbance at haul-out sites, especially during moult. Can be subject to bycatch in certain types of inshore fishing operations, although this appears to be less common than in grey seals (Cosgrove et al., 2016).